The 30 feet tall electric pole next to Ajoy general store, above Darjeeling syndicate
area, motor stand, ward number 12, is rusted which is likely to crumble down anytime.

The Gupta brothers who run
the small (pan) shop have complained to the Assistant Engineer of the
electricity board about the chances of accident which can occur indecisively
and injure many people walking to and fro.

Aman Gupta, one of the
brothers said that they had informed to the electricity department about the dilapidated
pole on November last year who assured them with a change the pole which is
still unexecuted.

Speaking to this
reporter Ajoy Gupta said, ‘We called the employees of the concerned department
to check the condition of the shaft who visited the site and left assuring us in
2014, we thought things would be maintained soon but the condition of the pole
is getting worst causing more threat to the passer by’s and the drivers’

Many local taxi drivers
park their cars in front of Ajay’s shop where the shaft can reach and crash the
vehicles if it falls horizontally. The drivers who were available this
afternoon also spoke to Himalayan Mirror regarding the condition of the pole. They
said that the authority has overlooked the matter.

Meanwhile Ajoy without being sure said that
the pole was exchanged 15 approximate years ago, ‘I can’t remember vividly but I
believe the pole was exchanged 15-16 years ago.’

Gupta family has been
following a lineage of business for more than 90 years, Aman Gupta said that
their shop was there before they were born. However, the pole which is almost
attached to their stall makes them more concerned than other shopkeepers nearby.

The brothers said that
they don’t want to be held with liability in the future in case of any mishaps
for the pole is not their personal property and they have informed the concerned
department time and again with attached photographs of the dilapidated electric
shaft.

Meanwhile when asked about the rusted pole , Pravashika Rai, AE of Electricity Department said that she has taken the situation seriously and will ensure public safety by replacing the pole as soon as possible/